The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-28
UNoBTRUsIvE SOCIETY PEOPLE.


People have much to say about society"
To crafty their curiosity newspapers give ac-
count of receptions balls, fashionable we'd
dings and the comings and goings of
men and women who take part in
these social events. The summer CORE
spondents fill columns with descriptions of
the notable people-more properly, perhaps,
the noticeable people-among them who
throng the watering places, the hops they at
tend, the costumes they wear, the hlrtatlons
they indulge in Writers of so-called society
novels treat of the same things with greater
elaboration and the air Of a more intimate &C
quaintance with their subject. Nine out of
ten readers will readily assent to the PROPOSE
ton that these chronicles cover all there is OF
society. Difident people whose lives have
not even touched upon this phase of exist
ence, who have never attended social cere-
monials where the dress suit was indspensa-
BILE and the mark of the gentleman, and where
among women covered shoulders and arms
were more conspicuous from their rarity than
those left bare-these unsophisticated people
appearinc at such formidable assem-
blies Others, more ambitious and less
satisfied with their own environment
long for the glitter and the pageantry. and Ia
ment that they are not Gin society" This
class is more numerous than the other, per-
haps.e There is charm for the onlooker in
the spectacular Accomplishments of wealth and
fashion That these have a fascination for
those who are Gin the swim" is also true.
The luxury, the brightness the gayety
crafty sensuous taste; refined natures take
pleasure in the beauty and grace which are
elements Of it all. It is not thing to be
condemned 1t is a part of the foam and
sparkle of life, but it is not all of society. The
sly little woman who invites her minister
and his wife to tea, or who dons her one best
dress and spends the afternoon with neigh
Dor is having her share of society, too. The
Young people in village and country distr lets
with their Chautauqua circles their spelling
scho OILS, their dancing parties where full dress
and fornality are unknown make very inn
portant part of the social life of the country.
Their doings are not reported in the papers.
The general public does not know does it
care what the young women wore on snch oc-
casions nor is it interested in having the names
| of the persons in attendance. All over the
country are men and women whose names
may never be seen in print until after they
are dead, but yet who are so companionable,
30 filed with the spirit of good fellowship
what should be called the social instinct
that they are the life and center of their little
circles, and do more for society, in its best
sense, than many whose every move
rnent is heralded abroad. The modest hospi-
tality that brings half dozen congenial peo-
pie together at ever so simple a repast does
more to promote the highest human inter
course than does the who from sense
pf obligation, bids a throng to his home, and
feels that his duty is done when the guests
are fed. And yet the latter gathering is
called Society" while the other is ignored.
It is a great misrlse of the term to hold that
society is all comprised in the froth and foam
of the summer resort and the doings of the
rich and exclusive cliques. The word covers
a deeper meaning. The foam is part of the
life, but the undercurrents are more essential
to its health, and they flow into the remotest
hamlet Few persons so isolated that they
can not enjoy the society which consists of an
interchange of thought and the meeting of
spirit, and having this privilege no change of
station could offer them more or better.